Governor Tom Corbett and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today announced that the third round of natural gas vehicle grants will open on Saturday, August 30, and will provide an estimated $6 million to help pay for the incremental purchase and conversion costs of heavy-duty natural gas fleet vehicles.

“Pennsylvania continues to move in the right direction by creating opportunities to convert vehicle fleets from imported oil to homegrown, clean-burning, affordable natural gas,” Gov. Corbett said. “We encourage all who are eligible for this funding to lower their operational costs and lessen our dependency on foreign oil.”

Since 2013, $14 million has been awarded to 44 organizations and companies making the switch to compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG) and bi-fuel vehicles weighing 14,000 pounds or more.

Those eligible to apply include non-profit organizations, local transportation organizations, state owned or state related universities, commonwealth or municipal authorities, for-profit companies and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission.

Requests can be no more than 50 percent of the incremental purchase or retrofit cost per vehicle, with a maximum total of $25,000 per vehicle.

Grant applications are due by 4 p.m. on Friday, Novovember 14, and will be awarded this winter.

Eligible applicants are encouraged to participate in a related webinar, scheduled for Sept. 22, from 2 to 3 p.m. To register for the webinar and view the updated guidance document and online grant application, visit www.dep.state.pa.us and click on the “Natural Gas Vehicle Grant Program” button.